SADC Member States Convene in Harare to Address Kasumbalesa Border Post Challenges
Southern African Development Community (SADC) Member States gathered in Harare from February 4-7 to tackle the ongoing issues at the Kasumbalesa Border Post, a key trade hub between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The meeting, organized by the SADC Secretariat and supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), aimed to find long-term solutions to congestion, trade facilitation delays, infrastructure deficits, and security concerns affecting truck drivers and the broader trade community.
Representatives from 10 SADC Member States, including Angola, Botswana, DRC, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, along with officials from the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), attended the session.
The focus was on reviewing the Framework of Collaboration and Action Plan that the DRC and Zambia agreed upon in May 2024 in Kinshasa, and preparing for an upcoming SADC Inter-Ministerial Task Force meeting in April 2025.
Key recommendations from the meeting called for a corridor-wide approach to address emerging challenges along the North-South Corridor. The approach would target areas such as customs and trade facilitation, infrastructure development, security, and immigration.
Emphasis was placed on improving coordination between DRC and Zambia to address longstanding border issues, including poor infrastructure, congestion, and security risks for traders and truck drivers, especially at night.
The Kasumbalesa Border Post, a vital intersection for several regional trade corridors, has been a focal point of concern due to its inadequate facilities, long traffic queues, and health-related challenges such as the risk of disease transmission. Efforts to streamline border formalities and harmonize visa fees for commercial truck drivers were also discussed, with a focus on simplifying procedures for thousands of daily cross-border commuters.
The SADC Ministerial Task Force, set to convene in April 2025, will continue efforts to ensure sustainable solutions for the border post, enhancing regional trade and cooperation.
